New snoring treatment promises quieter nights
by Greta Cunningham, Minnesota Public Radio
July 28, 2003

Two people affected by snoring. (Image courtesy of New York Healthy Schools )

St. Paul, Minn. —
For snorers, and their loved ones, the noisy disturbance often causes more than a few sleepless nights.
But snoring can be a lot more than irritating. It disturbs sleeping patterns and deprives snorers -- and their bed partners -- of appropriate rest. Severe snoring can be a sign of more serious health problems, including obstructive sleep apnea.

There ain't no way to find out why a snorer can't hear himself snore.
- Mark Twain, in Tom Sawyer Abroad

The search for a snoring cure has led many people to try various remedies, such as nasal strips, sprays and surgery. But the results of those treatments have been mixed at best.

Now, a new procedure designed to permanently treat snoring has been developed by a Minnesota company, and is aavailable to snoring sufferers.

Susan Critzer, the president and CEO of St. Paul's Restore Medical, says more than 20 million Americans suffer from snoring. She told MPR's Greta Cunningham her company's new Pillar Palatal Implant System successfully stops snoring in nearly three-quarters of patients.

Listen to the interview by clicking on the audio link in the right column.